Journey Beyond is now taking its customers even further (beyond ‘beyond’?), with the launch of its Gold Premium product.
Now open for bookings on The Ghan and Great Southern for 2024, the new style of rail travel promises “premium inclusions paired with contemporary Australian cabin and carriage designs”, in a class that sits between Journey Beyond’s Gold and Platinum offerings.
Looking to incorporate a “true sense of place” into its creation, Journey Beyond appointed Woods Bagot to design the new product. In 2019, the firm also led an upgrade to Journey Beyond’s Platinum carriages.
Gold Premium cabins and suites aim to capture the essence of Arrernte painter Albert Namatjira’s landscapes, to bring a sense of connection to the Australian outback. Think walnut timber, polished brass and Indigenous prints on the upholstery.
Within the cabin, guests will find a lounge seat that converts to a sleeper, an ensuite, premium amenities (like luxurious soft linen and silk eye masks), and also “a few special surprises”; the suites are a little larger, with a three-quarter-size double bed, fold-down upper berth, and lounge area.
Both Journey Beyond cabin types include access to the Gold Premium Lounge, which boasts leather banquettes, swivel chairs, and mood lighting that evokes the “romance” within rail travel.
Meanwhile, the Gold Premium Dining carriage has an art deco feel to it, with full breakfasts, two-course regionally-inspired lunches and four-course dinners featuring local ingredients served within the space.
Guests can also enjoy an array of premium Australian wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages to accompany their meals.
As good as gold? Better.
Other Gold Premium highlights include all-inclusive off-train experiences, preferences on tour selections, a generous 75kg checked luggage allowance per guest (3 x 25 kg each), and priority luggage check-in on departure.
Gold Premium is available on The Ghan and Great Southern rail-only trips, and also a number of Journey Beyond packages, like its Red Centre Spectacular and Ultimate Territory Tour, which include touring with Outback Spirit.
Prices start from $3,495 pp for Gold Premium and $4,875 pp for Gold Premium Suite. For more information, click here.
Last month, Journey Beyond unveiled a one-of-a-kind, one-off Aussie travel experience that includes both The Ghan and Indian Pacific rail journeys plus a Silversea Kimberley cruise.
